Earleywine Chapters
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Resolution Number: 1985-A083
Title: Adopt Church Policy on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this
68th General Convention adopt the following policy statement:
AN EPISCOPAL NATIONAL POLICY ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
The Episcopal Church acknowledges the need for exercising a healing ministry
and for offering guidance to problem drinkers or chemically dependent
persons and to members of their families. Alcoholism and other drug abuse
are recognized as treatable human disorders which are manifested by a
three-fold impairment of the body, mind and spirit. The Church concurs
with health authorities that alcohol and other substance abuse is a major
health concern of our society. It affects not only the alcoholic or abuser's
health and self-concept, but also interpersonal relationships with family,
co-workers, friends and counselors. It may affect any individual, regardless
of financial situation, education, employment, race or creed.
The Church calls on all clergy and lay people to take to heart the seriousness
of the illness of alcohol and drug abuse and its manifestations as a disrupter
of family, economic and social life; and urges all churchpeople to do
everything in their power to offer forth the love of Christ in his healing
ministry to those afflicted persons and families.
Diocesan Committees on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency
The General Convention of 1979 encouraged each diocese to appoint a Diocesan
Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency to implement a program on
alcohol and drug abuse. Such committees are responsible for developing
a diocesan policy and planning a diocesan resource center for education,
information, counseling and training. Clergy and lay counselors are encouraged
to pursue continuing education in these fields. Congregations are encouraged
to provide members with educational opportunities to learn more about
the nature, prevention, techniques of treatment and pastoral care of alcoholics
and drug abusers and their families. Trained consultants should be made
available to interested clergy and congregations to facilitate this education
process. Through education and usage of appropriate resources, intervention
is made possible to stop the progress of the disorder before it runs its
full destructive course.
The Church commends and encourages the many programs offering treatment
and support to persons suffering from the illnesses of alcoholism and
drug addiction. Clergy and vestries are encouraged to further their assistance
to the National Episcopal Coalition on Alcohol (NECA), Alcoholics Anonymous,
Al-Anon, AlaTeen Groups, Adult Children of Alcoholics Groups, Narcotics
Anonymous and to chemical dependency programs and halfway houses as well
as becoming knowledgeable concerning all local resources offering intervention,
treatment and continuing care for these persons.
Employees of the Church
Alcoholic or drug dependent employees of the Church should be treated
with pastoral love and concern. Church health insurance policies should
include provision for the treatment and care of persons afflicted with
these illnesses. Treatment intervention for the person and family along
with counseling and continuing support during recovery should be coordinated
by the clergy and other support groups in the parish. Every effort should
be made to offer job protection and re-employment, with salaried sick
leave during hospitalization, to alcoholics and drug abusers accepting
treatment. Those refusing treatment will not be offered this protection.
Alcoholic Beverages in the Local Parish
The Episcopal Church has never endorsed prohibiting the use of beverages
containing alcohol among adult members. Scripture offers Jesus' example
of the use and serving of wine in his first miracle at Cana and in the
institution of the Holy Eucharist. If an adult member elects to use alcohol,
however, moderate usage is expected. Church members should be educated
regarding those conditions that might consequently compromise the health
and safety of oneself or others. The Church also supports and has a responsibility
to those people who abstain from the use of alcoholic beverages for whatever
reason. Many churches do not serve alcoholic beverages at social functions,
but, for those which do, the following guidelines are given:
-- All applicable federal, state and local laws should be obeyed, including
those governing the serving of alcoholic beverages to minors.
-- Alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol must be clearly labeled
as such.
-- Whenever alcohol is served, non-alcoholic alternatives must always
be offered with equal attractiveness and accessibility.
-- The service of alcoholic beverages at church events should not be publicized
as an attraction of the event.
-- The group or organization sponsoring the activity or event at which
alcoholic beverages are served must have permission from the parish for
this plan. Such groups or organizations must also assume responsibility
for those persons who might become intoxicated and must provide alternative
transportation for anyone whose capacity to drive may thus be impaired.
-- Recognizing the effect of alcohol as a mood-altering drug, it would
be advisable to consider the nature of the function at which alcoholic
beverages are proposed to be served.
-- Chemical usage other than alcohol is clearly controlled under federal,
state and local laws and, as such, should be forbidden at any function.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General
Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 1985 (New York: General
Convention, 1986), p. 135.
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See http://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts_new/acts_resolution.pl?resolution=1985-A083
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